Related articles

I will certainly be giving these next three weeks my absolute everything

Chris Froome

While today's spotlight will fall upon Mark Cavendish, from Omega Pharma Quick-Step, and the specialist sprinters in the opening stage which ends in Harrogate, it is Froome who will fly the flag over the long haul of one of sport's most gruelling events.

The 29-year-old, who succeeded Sir Bradley Wiggins as Tour winner, insists he has put injury and illness problems earlier in the year behind him and recovered fully from the hip problem he picked up in a crash last month at the Critérium du Dauphiné.

"Basically the whole season has been geared to this Tour de France. I'm just so happy that we're here now, we're on the start line, ready to go," he said.

"There are some nerves there - I wouldn't be human if there weren't any nerves - but it's exciting. It's really exciting.

"I don't think many Tour champions get to come back as defending champions and start in front of their home crowd like this."

Froome's task is to come through the early part of the race unscathed with help from his Team Sky colleagues who include fellow Briton Geraint Thomas - the youngest rider in the race the last time Le Grand Depart came to Britain seven years ago.

Froome will aim to defend his Tour De France title [GETTY]

"It's great for it to come back here," he said. "I rode in 2007 when it was in London and that was incredible, and cycling has only got bigger since. I'm really looking forward to it and the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable.

"It's great to show how far British cycling has come. It's kind of a dream. I don't think anyone would've predicted it and it's great for the sport. Hopefully it can continue to grow."

The other Briton involved will be Simon Yates, who broke his collar bone in the Tour of Turkey in May, but has recovered to ride his first Tour for Orica-GreenEdge.

"I am feeling nervous but these are roads I know," said the 21-year-old, from Bury.

Today's Leeds to Harrogate route is followed by York to Sheffield tomorrow and Cambridge to London on Monday.